June 25, 2004
The ADVOCATE
Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties
Volume 8, No. 51
Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown

Page 5, Column 3:

“William ‘Bill’ Ray Cramer
1931-2004
Private family services for William ‘Bill’ Ray Cramer, 73, Oroville, CA, formerly of Garnett,
were June 17, 2004, in Oroville.  Mr. Cramer died June 13 at his home.
William Ray Cramer was born March 8, 1931, at Garnett, the son of Stanley Ray and Lena Neil
(Stockton) Cramer.  He graduated from Garnett High School with the Class of 1950.
He served four years in the United States Air Force and 16 years in the United States Navy.  He
completed 40 years of work as an Electro Mechanical Engineer before his retirement.
Bill loved sharing special times with his grandchildren collecting miniature cars.  He had an avid
interest in the electronics and mechanics field that revolved around his career.
Mr. Cramer was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Ray Cramer.
Bill is survived by his sons, Timothy Cramer and Stacey Cramer, Billings, MT; his daughters,
Susan Cramer, Oroville, CA, and Jana Bolton, Kingman, AZ; his mother Lena Cramer, Garnett;
his longtime friend and companion, Evelyn Wood, Oroville, Ca; his brother, Robert ‘Bob’
Cramer, Garnett; his sister, Betty Dean, Odessa, TX; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; and
many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were under the direction of Ramsey Funeral Home.”

Page 5, Column 4:

“Betty M. Messer
1933-2004
Betty M. Messer, a faithful member of Crossroads Cathedral, went home to be with the Lord on
June 20, 2004.
She was born January 30, 1933, to Earl and Bessie Crawford at Centropolis, KS.  Betty lost her
dad to illness at an early age and a wonderful stepdad, Howard ‘Pop’ Ellis, raised her from age
four.
Betty is survived by her husband, Troy Lee Messer; her two daughters and their husbands, Linda
and Vern Brown, Ottawa, KS, and Jeanne and Glen White, Kansas City, KS: her son, Charles
Hatfield and his wife, Sue, Kansas City, KS; her brother, Earl Jr. Crawford and his wife, Betty
Anne, Olathe, KS; her sister, Carole Anna and her husband, George, Pomona, KS; her uncle, Roy
Crawford and his wife, Helen, Overbrook, KS: and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and
cousins.
A wake was held Wednesday, June 23, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Vondel Smith/South.  Funeral
services were held Thursday, June 24, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Crossroads Cathedral.
Services were directed by Vondel Smith/South, Oklahoma City, OK.”


Transcribed for 
Anderson County
Kansas
USGENWEB
By:  Lulu B. Nixon